Quick-make-and-break electric switch



ept. 25, 1928.

M. KATCHER 'QUICK MAKE AND BREAK ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb. 6, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet I I I I I l I I I I I I I /sepn 25, lsza 2 Sheets-Sheat. 2

m i /4 4 5 a 1 J L ll nontoz F/ya. W M 15/95,'

Patened sept. 25, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,685134 PATENT OFFICE.

v MORBIS KATCHER', OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T COLUMBIA METAL BOX C0., 07

NEW YORK, lil'.l Y.

QUICK-IAIE-AND-BREAK ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application flled February This invention relates to improvements in electric switches and has for its object the provision of a hand operated enclosed switch with a quick make-and-brek action of sim- I pls economical construction, the parts, also,

to one set of terminals and so connected to an Operating handle, that by moving said handle in one or the other direction the switch levers will turn on their pivots and snap into or. out of engagement with switch clips caraction o lried by an opposite set of terminals.

To prevent burning of the contacts due to extended sparking, a quick motion on the part of the switch levers is ensured in a switch according to this invention b allowing the switch levers to turn von their pivots independentl ofthe Operating handle under the a compression spring, which i's first compressed by moving the handle and then released so as to expand and thereby` rapidly turn the switch levers, making or breaking the circuit.

For protection the switch is encl'osed in an iron box, the cover of which is locked when the circuit is closed and which can be opened only after breakin the circuit by opening the switch by means o the handle placed outside of the box. t The construction of a switch according to this invention, which will be more fully described hereinafter is. illustrated in the ac- V companying drawings, in wh1ch:-

Figura 1 is a plan of the switch, with the rotecting to cover removed and the switch evers cut o engagement with the switch clips,

Figura 2 is a side elevation of the switch i with the switch levers in the same position as in Figure 1 slightly raised, Fi re 3 is a transverse section on line A-` of Fi re 1, but with the top cover atand with the top cover tached and s ightly reised as in Figure 2,

Figure 4 1s a side elevation of the switch, with the switch levers in engagement with the switch clips and the top cover locked,

Figura 5 is a separate view of the slotted 6, 1925. Serial Io. 7,827.

plate whichv is fixed to the extension of the switch handle", and

Figure 6 is a separate view of the disk which is rotatably mounted on said extenslon. i

Switch levers 1 are pivoted at one end to terminals 2, which rest on the base 3 of insulatin material placed in a. sheet metal box 4: and astened to it by screws. Fuses 6 are interposed between terminals 2 and the cable attac ments 7. On the same insulating base are arranged terminals 8 connected to the cable attachments 9, and carrying switch clips 10 into which vthe free ends of the switch levers 1 fit when the switch is closed. Switch levers 1 are tied to ether by a cross bar 11 of insulating materia which carries a slotted member 12, said member enga 'ng a yoke 13 which is rotatably mounted in ox 4, the axis axis which forms a bearing for one end of 'yoke 13, the other end of which rests in a hole in the opposite side Wall of box 4. In assemlbling yoke 13 in the box, one end is inserted in extension 15 and the other end is sprung into the oppesite wall f box (1. Loosely mounted on extension 15, near oke 13, is a disk 16 which is provided with lips 17 and 18 bent at right an les to its main body. Lips 17 and 18 stradd e a leg of yoke 13 with extra clearance provided between them to permit appreciable rotation of disk 16 without correspondin rotation of yoke 13 QFigures 2 and 4) Dis 16 is shown by itself in Figure 6 in the same position that it occu es in Figure 2. The hub 40 which is forme integral with disk 16 is rotatably mounted on extension 15. Plate 19 isfixed to extension 15 just inside of the wall of box4 (F'gures 1 and 3) and serves to prevent extension 15 and with it handle 14 from beingz's'eparated from box refer to fasten plate 19 to extension 15, by orming two flat surfaces on opposite sldes of lsaid extension and forcing lips 39 and 37 of (Figures 2-and` either of edge of slot 21. Furth g disk 16 has its against the forward edge of i' the le plate 19 in the same position that it occupies in Figure 2.

A fiat rod 22, one end of which is p1voted to other end slidably mounted in a guide 23 pivoted to the wall of box 4. A helical compression spring 24 mounted on rod 22 butts with one end against the guide 23, and with the other-end against a collar 25 on the rod 22. As spring 24 is always under compression disk 16 tends to snap to the position Figure 2 or Figure 4. Further rotation of disk 16, under the pressure of sprmg 24 as shown in Figure 2, is prevented by sto 26 fastened to the wall of box 4, which stop engages the fiat edge 27 formed in the perlphery of disk 16. In a similar manner, further rotation of disk 16 from the position shown in Figure 4, is prevented by flat edge 28 engaging stop 26. ther rotation of handle 14 to the left of the position shown for it in Figure 2.

To prevent opening of the cover 31 when h the switch is closed, a pivoted lever 32 is provided having a flange 35 fprmed at its lower end. The edge of'disk 16 is adapted to contact with flange 35 as'long as the switch 1s closed as seen 1n Figure 4. While in this position notch 34 of lever 32 engages cover 31 at the edge of hole 38 provided in said cover, level' 32 passing through said hole.l When the switch is open, notch 86 of disk 16 comes opposite flange 35 permitting the latter to enter releasing thereby notch 34 from cover 31 permitting lever 32 to be rotated so that said cover 'can be raised. With lever 32 locked with disk 16, the switch cannot be closed while 'cover 31 is lifted.

The operation of the mechanism is as followsz- Starting with handle 14 in the position shown in Figure 2;'rotatin said handle to the right carries plate 19 an its projection 20 along with it, until said projectlon comes u Further rotatio'rrl o'f handle 14 carries disk 16 around with it against the pressure of spring 24. Yoke 13 and-switch levers 1 are carried along with disk 16. The rotation of disk 16 is against the thrust of spring 24 and rod 22 as space in slot 21 from its rear edge to the rear this movement. 16 snaps switch closing the cir- The snap around of dis levers 1 iiigswitch clips 10 cuits thereby. w

In o gthe switch, handle lisrotatedto of its lposition shown in Figura 4 with it plate 19 and its projection 20 unt' the' latter comes back agamst the rear er rotation of handle 14 carries disk 16 around with"`it against the of projection 20 permitting Stop 30 is provided to prevent fur- .into open and close tion whereby the handle is mounted I pressure of spring 24 until the dead center, as

levers for opening and closing the circuits between said contacts, a box for enclosing said 'It contacts and switch levers, a handle located outside the box.having an extension projectp mg through one wall of same and rotatably mounted therein, said extension having a necked down portion projecting just within the box, a slotted sheet metal stamping havin its slotted portion fitting over said necke down portion within the box, said stamping having a tongue bent up from it and towards the interior of the box, means for Operating the switch levers and spring actuated means aving a lost motion connection to said operating means for sna ping the switch levers d positions, said spring means being adapted' to be tripped by said tongue.

2. A quick make-and-break electric switch comprising circuit terminal contacts, switch levers for'opening and closing the circuits between said contacts, a box for enclosing said contacts and switch levers, a handle located outside the box having an extension projecting through one wall of same and rotatably mounted therein, said extension havin a necked down portion projecting just Wit in .the box, a slotted Sheet metal stamping having a forced fit on said necked down porprevented from from it, Operating the switch levers, and sprin actuated means in operative relation to said p Operating means for snappin the switch slot 21 in disk 16. l g

evers into open and closed positions, said spring means beingsidapted to be tripped by' said tongue. 3. A quick make-and-break electric switch comprising circuit terminal contacts, switch levers for o ening and closing the circuits between sai contacts, a box for enclosing said contacts and switch levers, a handle located outside of the box having an extension passing through one wall of same, rotatabl means vfor Operating the switch levers, a sheet metal stamping, provided with a slot, loosely mounted upon said extension, means carried by 'said extension adapted to e gage slot, said slot being larger than said engaging means where in engagement, whereby a predetermined amount of .back- I lash is obtained between said engaging means and said member, said member bein provided withV a pair of projections 8d Operating means for the said straddling be' vided with a predetermined amount of backlash, and a spring adapted normally to ro'- tate said member in opposite directions about said extension of the handle, said latter rotation being controlled by said engaging means on said extension of the handle.

4. A quick make-and-break electric switch comprising circuit terminal contacts, switch levers for opening and closing the circuits between said contacts, a box for enclosing said contacts and switch levers, a handle located outside the box having an extension passing through one wall of same, rotatably mounted means for Operating the switch levers, a member loosely mounted upon said extension, means carried by said extension adapted to engage said member with a predetermined amount of backlash in said engagement, said member adapted also to engage said means for Operating the switch levers with a predetermined amount of backlash in said latter cngagement, a spring adapted normally to rotate Said member in opposite directions about the extension of the handle, said'latter rotation being controlled by said engaging means on the extension of the handle, and a stop fastened to the wall of the box, one end of said stop projecting within thebox for limiting the rotation of said member in both directions, the other' end of the sto projecting outside of the box and ada'pte thereby to limit the rotation of the handle.

5. A quick make-and-break electric switch comprising circuit terminal contacts, switch levers for opening and closing the circuits between said contacts, a box for enclosing said contacts and switch levers, a` handle located.l

outside the box having an extension passing 'ing it, said stamping being provided with a lost motion connect1on to said yoke, and a spring site directions past a dead center, said latter rotation being Controlled by said engaging portion.

6. A quick make-and-break electric switch comprising circuit terminal contacts, switch levers for opening and closng the circuits between said contacts, a box for enclosing said contacts and switch ltvers, a handle located outside the box having an extension passing through one wall of same, a rotatably mounted yoke for Operating the switch levers, a Sheet metal stamping loosely mounted upon said extension, another sheet metal stamping fixedly mounted upon said extension between said loose stamping and said wall of the box, said fixed. stamping being provided with a tongue projecting inwardly of the box and engaging a slotted hole provided in said loose stamping, said hole being sufficiently large to provide lost motion between said stampings, said loose stamping being provided with a lost motion connection to said yoke, and a. spring for rotating said loose stamping in opposite directions past a dead center, said latten rotation being controlled by the tongue of Said fixed Stampmionms KATOHER for rotating said stamping in oppop 

